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Television: Fall Season: The CW, PBS set skeds

Posted:
05/11/2013 12:10:48 AM EDT

Updated:
05/11/2013 10:03:39 AM EDT

This undated publicity photo released by The CW shows Paul Wesley, left, as Stefan and Ian Somerhalder as Damon, in a scene from Season 4 of the The CW television show, 'The Originals.' (Associated Press)

LOS ANGELES (AP) -- The CW is adding three new sci-fi and fantasy series to its 2013-14 schedule, along with a drama about the teenage Mary, Queen of Scots.

The network also announced that it's renewing "Nikita" and "The Carrie Diaries." The CW had previously said it's picking up "The Originals," a spinoff of "The Vampire Diaries."

The new series include the drama "The 100," about 100 juvenile lawbreakers who are returned to a post-apocalyptic Earth to try to resettle it. The series is based on the Kass Moran novels and includes former "Grey's Anatomy" star Isaiah Washington in its cast.

The other new CW series for next season are:

n "The Tomorrow People," based on a British drama about a highly evolved group of youths with special powers who unite to combat evil.

n "Star-Crossed," a Romeo-and-Juliet romance between a human girl and an alien boy, part of a clash involving Earthlings and the alien visitors they've consigned to an internment camp.

n "Reign," about the 15-year-old Mary, Queen of Scots, and her rise to power in the 16th-century world of enemies and sexual intrigue.
PBS: JFK specials, Streisand concert

LOS ANGELES (AP) -- PBS' fall schedule will examine President John F. Kennedy's life and his death 50 years ago through a modern lens, part of the network's increased emphasis on relevance, its programming chief said.

A variety of programs about Kennedy will air in the weeks leading up to the milestone anniversary of his Nov.

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22, 1963, slaying in Dallas, including "JFK," a four-hour "American Experience" portrait of Kennedy, what he accomplished and what was left undone, PBS announced Thursday.

The science show "Nova" will look at how the forensics investigation into his death would have been handled today and "lay bare some of the problems with forensics at the time," said Beth Hoppe, PBS' new chief programming executive.

The history-oriented "Secrets of the Dead," with a narrative account of the president's shooting, and a look at Kennedy collectibles also will be part of the coverage, along with other specials being planned, PBS said.

Also set for public TV's lineup are specials on American heritage, including a family roots series, "Genealogy Roadshow," and two documentary programs with sweeping views of Hispanic and black history, "Latino Americans" and "The African Americans: Many Rivers to Cross."

In 2007, Hispanic organizations criticized PBS and filmmaker Ken Burns for inadequately representing the contributions of Latinos in his 15-hour documentary on World War II.

PBS also will keep an eye on current events, Hoppe said.

"The idea of being able to act fast and be responsive and relevant is really important," said Hoppe, noting that PBS aired timely specials after the Newtown, Mass., school shooting, Superstorm Sandy and the Russian meteor strike.

"Megastorm Aftermath," a "Nova" follow-up to the 2012 Sandy special, will examine questions raised by the storm, including whether the devastating weather system was a freak occurrence or part of a pattern caused by climate change.

A Barbara Streisand concert, Shakespearean dramas and the return of "Foyle's War" to "Masterpiece Mystery!" also are on the schedule. For comic book aficionados, the documentary "Superheroes" documentary will examine the evolution of caped and other crusaders and the industry itself.

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